Comment: Dr Mark Dallas reflects on new study that suggests one in three people born this year will suffer dementia
Release Date 21 September 2015
Dr Mark Dallas, Lecturer in Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience in School of Pharmacy who specialises in Alzheimer's, says new study highlights need to invest in research and develop more opportunities for 'game-changing' scientists.
"This report highlights the startling numbers of people born this year that will be affected by dementia putting it on a par with other life-changing diseases. However for every one dementia researcher there are five researching cancer. We must invest in innovative research to redress the balance.
"Advances are being made but not quickly enough. We need highly-skilled researchers if we are to develop new preventative treatments and find the elusive cure. Shockingly though 70% of dementia PhD students leave this area of research. Institutions across the country must do more to develop career opportunities for these potential ‘game-changers'.
"Alzheimer's should be at the forefront of our minds. We must all do more if the UK is to continue to be a leading powerhouse in tackling this terrible disease."